The Central City Project

       The Central City Project (CCP) is a community service program at Allentown Central Catholic High School that focuses on serving those in need in the city of Allentown.  Since 2010, CCP has participated in many projects including after school tutoring at elementary schools in the Allentown School District and Boys and Girls Club, an afterschool pickleball program serving middle schools in Allentown, and Wednesday night community dinners.

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       After the CCP began with the leadership of Fr. John Gribowich, the CCP has been overseen by Pat Markham, a Theology teacher at ACCHS, who coordinates all projects and student participation.  At a CCP event, students are given a safe environment to have direct contact with those at the social margins of society.  This “two-way street” of the needy being served and the students experience of direct service is a win-win for the city of Allentown. 

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       One of CCP's most successful projects is the student-maintained Amy Sullivan Memorial Urban Garden located at 951 N. 4th street.  During the summer months, students weed, water, stake, and harvest the produce. Vegetables from the garden are distributed to local food pantries and used to make Viking salsa and hot sauce which is sold to raise funds for social projects. 

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       One other significant outreach program is the Central City Project’s food pantry, which started in 2019.  The pantry primarily serves the residents of the Jordan Heights neighborhood in the city of Allentown, but any person is welcomed at the pantry.  Every person who comes to the pantry receives one bag of groceries containing twenty food items.  The pantry distributes on the last Tuesday of every month during the academic year.  For the months of September, October, and November, in addition to the bag of groceries, the pantry provides produce from the Amy Sullivan Memorial garden. 

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       The IRIS Companies has a special connection to the CCP.  Mr. Gehris’s three children, Jack, Katie, and Leah, all proud graduates of Allentown Central Catholic High School, were very involved in the CCP during their time at Central Catholic.  

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For more information on The Central City Project or to make a donation, please contact Pat Markham, at pmarkham@acchs.info.